The bodies of seven giant tortoises have been discovered in a forest in Devon, triggering a police investigation. The Aldabra giant tortoises, one of the largest tortoise species in the world, were found dead in the National Trust’s Ashclyst Forest. Devon and Cornwall police are appealing for witnesses. The reptiles were found by National Trust staff who were left upset by the discovery in the 272-hectare (672-acre) woodland, one of the largest forests in Devon, north-east of Exeter. A statement from the National Trust said: “We can confirm that sadly seven rare Aldabra giant tortoises have been discovered dead on National Trust land near Exeter over the past few days. The tortoises are not native to the UK. The incident is now being investigated by police and we are unable to comment further at this time.” Two of the bodies were discovered on 8 January and a further five were found nearby on 12 January. The Aldabra giant tortoise is endemic to Seychelles, the island nation in the Indian Ocean. Males can grow up to 250kg (550lb) and their shells can grow to about 122cm (48 in) in length. Insp Mark Arthurs said: “We are appealing to members of the public for information to try to establish the circumstances around this discovery and to identify those responsible. We would ask that if anyone knows anything, they get in touch. “We would also like to hear from anyone who has recently purchased a giant tortoise in the area or knows of anyone who normally has a large number of tortoises but has fewer now.” Ashclyst Forest, where the reptiles were discovered, is a large natural woodland pasture with commercial conifer plantations and rare wet woodland. The nearest village is Broadclyst, about three miles away. There was no sign of any police activity at the forest on Tuesday. It is not the first time a giant tortoise has been found in the woodland. In December 2021, Vale Vets Devon posted an appeal on its Facebook page for the owners of a giant tortoise that had been handed in to the Cullompton branch. “At the Cullompton branch we have a giant breed of tortoise that has been handed in,” the post read. “This tortoise was found in the area of Ashclyst forest.” Vale Vets Devon has been contacted for comment. An RSPCA report on the illegal trade in tortoises, titled Shell Shock, said it was “illegal in the UK to import or sell live wild-caught protected species of tortoises or products made from them without a permit for commercial purposes”. “Breeders can sell only captive animals bred from parental stock in their care. New-born animals must be identified with a microdot and adults with a microchip or other appropriate method,” the report added. The report says tortoises make “bad pets”, explaining the body temperature, humidity and diet required by most species is “virtually impossible” to replicate. An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the distressing discovery of several large dead tortoises in Ashclyst Forest near Cullompton, Devon. “While Devon and Cornwall police are leading on this matter, we would like to find out what happened to these animals. If any members of the public have any information about the tortoises, including who might have owned them, we would ask them to contact us on the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.” Police asked for anyone with information that could help with inquiries to contact them by calling 101 and quoting 50240006127. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111, police said.